Speech at the Evening Party in Welcome of the North Route Comfort Mission of the National Comfort Association[1]

(September 10, 1939)

Comrades:

Today we are holding this evening party with great joy and sincerity to welcome the many comrades who have come to Yan’an. First of all, on behalf of all comrades, I pay my respects to Chairman Lin Sen of the National Government and to the national leader, Chairman Chiang Kai-shek.

Two years have passed since unity and resistance began. Such circumstances have broken with the situation of two years ago. Two years ago, there was no resistance and no unity; now there is unity and resistance. This is a new phenomenon, a new atmosphere. This new atmosphere has already entered its third year, which is cause for gratification. However, during the two years of resistance, there have been some minor conflicts and minor frictions between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party. Therefore, comrades in both the Kuomintang and the Communist Party are concerned and anxious about the question of relations between the two parties. This is indeed a question that everyone pays attention to. Not only comrades within the two parties are thus concerned, but people in society at large are also very anxious and expect a satisfactory answer. Actually, this matter is not so difficult to understand. Everyone should know: The Three Principles of the People are the political foundation of the Anti-Japanese National United Front, and the Kuomintang and the Communist Party are the organizational foundation of the Anti-Japanese National United Front. The United Front is a large body, which includes all parties and factions, all circles and all

armies, all people—except the traitors—within it. Of course, between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, the Communist Party recognizes that the Kuomintang is the first major party within the United Front. Outside the two parties, although there are other parties and factions, other circles and armies, in any case, the Kuomintang and the Communist Party are always the foundation. If the Kuomintang and the Communist Party are not united, this United Front cannot be conceived. Therefore, we say: The Kuomintang and the Communist Party are the organizational foundation of the United Front. During the two years of resistance, the Kuomintang and the Communist Party have taken unity as the central question; the present question is one after two years of resistance, but the basic policy has not changed, nor should there be any change, and this is the word "unity." Unity is the general policy. Unity must be built upon the foundation of progress.

Now between the two parties, in some localities, among some personnel, some frictions have occurred. This phenomenon is not good; however, everyone knows that in the overall situation, under the leadership of Chairman Chiang Kai-shek throughout the country, and with mutual concern and mutual urging among people of all circles, our unity and resistance are reliable. We must unite, no matter what. Apart from unity, there is no other policy. ...

Because the enemy wants to "oppose Chiang," we, the people of the whole country, must all rise to support Chairman Chiang Kai-shek; the enemy wants to overthrow the National Government, we, the people of the whole country, must support the National Government; the enemy and the traitor Wang Jingwei and his ilk want to sabotage Kuomintang-Communist cooperation, we, the people of the whole country, must support Kuomintang-Communist cooperation; the enemy wants to destroy the Anti-Japanese National United Front, we, the people of the whole country, must support the Anti-Japanese National United Front; the enemy wants us to fight among ourselves, we absolutely must not fight a civil war. We must do things that gladden our own people and pain the enemy, and not do a single thing that pains our own people and gladdens the enemy. We must stand firm in our own position and must never confuse our slogans with those of the enemy. Our slogans must oppose the enemy's at every point; there must not be the slightest confusion with the enemy. All slogans confused with the enemy's are a front for currying favor with the enemy and surrendering to the enemy. All statements identical with the enemy's are platitudes that aid the enemy in spreading his influence. Anyone who wants to shoulder the enemy's slogans while claiming to resist the enemy is merely deceiving people; cruel history will provide stern proof.

Today, only by uniting as one throughout the country, supporting Chairman Chiang Kai-shek, supporting the National Government,

Speech at the Evening Party in Welcome of the North Route Comfort Mission

supporting Kuomintang-Communist cooperation, supporting the Anti-Japanese National United Front, persisting in resistance, opposing capitulation, persisting in unity, opposing division, persisting in progress, opposing retrogression, can we defeat Japanese imperialism, drive Japanese imperialism out of China, and bring about the emergence of a new China of independence and freedom.

Today we welcome the veteran revolutionary, Mr. Zhang Puquan. He is an elder of the Chinese revolution and has devoted himself greatly to the cause of unity and resistance. Today we want this venerable gentleman to give us his guidance. At the same time, we welcome all the comrades of the Comfort Mission and also wish to ask them for their guidance.

--- Notes

[1] The North Route Comfort Mission of the National Comfort Association arrived in Yan’an on September 9. The next day, Mao Zedong visited the Comfort Mission at their guesthouse and hosted a banquet for them. That evening, Mao Zedong accompanied the Comfort Mission to a welcome assembly attended by over 1,000 people, held by the Government of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region in the Central Auditorium at Yangjialing, and delivered a welcome speech.